Improvement in carpet-stretchers



B. DARRAGH.

. Carpet-Stretcher.

N0. 167,876, Paten-ted-Sept.2l,1875.

WITNESS; mm 7 ATTORNEYS N. PETERS, FHOTO-UTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGIDN. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BERNARD DARRAGH, OF FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CARPET-STRETCHERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. [67,876, dated September 21, 1875; application filed March 13, 1875.

To all whomit may concern:

Be it known that I, BERNARD DARRAGH, of Franklin, in the county of Venango and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Oarpet-Stretchers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawing is arepresentation of a plan view of my carpet-stretcher, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same.

This invention has relation to improvements in devices which are designed for stretching carpets for the purpose of making them fit snugly on the floor; and the nature of the invention consists in a curved metallic plate, having upon its upper end a number of upright prongs, and upon its lower end two curved prongs, the former being adapted to engage in the carpet, while the latter are stuck in the floor, whereby a reliable and effective stretcher is obtained, combining great strength and simplicity, all as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

1n the annexed drawings, A designates a curved metallic plate presenting in plan View the appearance of a trapezoid. This plate has upon its lateral and upper edges a flange, a, which flanges extend in aeurve down below the lower edge of plate A, terminating in prongs b. There are also a number of preferably pyramidal prongs, 0, upon its upper edge, as shown in figure. The flanges a, above mentioned, give the plate great strength, their lateral edges being vertical to the body thereof, and I am thus enabled to cut away a large part of the metal of the body of the said plate, making it very light and easily handled.

In practice, plate A may be of any description of open work, and I may use any design or any degree of ornamentation suited tothe purpose. It may, however, be made solid, if I so select.

I use my improved stretcher in the following manner, to wit The carpet having been tacked to the floor at one of the sides and ends of the room, the stretcher is applied under one of the free edges of the same, with its curved prongs b resting in the floor, the plate being nearly in an upright position, with its convexity inward toward the secured edge of the carpet. The latter is then passed over the pointed prongs c on its upper edge, and the device caused to vibrate toward the wall.

By this means the carpet will be suitably stretched, and having been secured by a few tacks driven through it into the floor inside of the stretcher, the latter will be then removed, and the edges of the carpet permanently secured by tacks to the floor.

The carpet-stretcher thus described is made of any suitable metal, and is cast, preferably,

in a single piece.

I am aware that a carpet-stretcher, consist- I ing of a claw-lever, rib, block, and strap, as shown in Letters Patent granted to 0. Terry, dated April 29, 1863, No. 138,450, have heretofore been employed, and I therefore lay no claim to such invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

As a new article of manufacture, the curved metallic plate A, provided with the prongs b b at one end and projecting points 0 at the other end, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

- BERNARD DARRAGH.

Witnesses:

J. ARTHUR O. DELL, BENJ. DEWOODY; 

